Oregon state employees to receive early cost-of-living increases this year

SALEM — Oregon state employees are getting their cost-of-living pay increases a little early this year, based on the way benefits are calculated under the contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 75 contract.

Union spokesman Don Loving told the Statesman Journal that the state has agreed to give all state workers a 2 percent raise, likely starting in September rather than December.

The cost-of-living increase is related to the calculation for total benefits, including health insurance. The Public Employees Benefits Board voted last week to adopt a new set of insurance premiums for 2015.